In my readings this morning, out of I Samuel 21, I came across a phrase in verse 6 that shifted my focus from the story of David to the reality of Christ. Often we can remain too long in our heads while in the text of His Word, missing the subtle but rewarding nudges of the Spirit that moves us out of our religious rigor and into His Presence. This morning was my opportunity.
I recalled the morning after accepting Christ, my life suddenly transformed by this generous forgiveness which I first experienced in my Dad’s living room in the late evening of January 3, 1973. This calloused, broken young man had come headlong into a tender, forgiving friend and had been invited into the Kingdom of God. My human Daddy was simply the Lord with skin on him, ushering me through his prayers into His Presence. That night must have been quite peaceful as I only recall a few conversations (testimonies) offered to friends in the excitement of the moment. What I do recall is the refreshing of the next morning as I drove to my classroom at the High School where I taught Chemistry.
My own chemistry had changed, as I recall rolling down the car window, allowing the fragrance that must have always been there, yet had been missed in the madness of my own sinful lifestyle. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain”1 are the words to one of the first songs I recall after my new birth. I was in His presence, where there “is fullness of joy!”2
“Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the Father.”3 “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”4 “I am the living bread”5…the Presence.
Oh that men might know Him, eat His flesh and drink his blood…to those who know only religion and ceremony, even this communion language is repulsive in today’s politically correct, anything goes, fully sterile culture. “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.”6 The children of God? Yes! “Because you are Sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’ (daddy). 7
My daddy led me to his Daddy and I began to eat the Bread of Presence.
This morning, “Come and have breakfast”8 , His bread, His presence.
1 The Gaither Trio
2 Psalm 16:11 KJV
3 Deut. 8:3
4 John 1:1-2,14 NIV
5 John 6:51
6 John 1:11
7 Gal. 4:6
8 Jn. 21:12 NIV